LaFayette school educates students through internships

Peter Chen / The Post-Standard(l to r) Will Gonyea, 15, of Nedrow, Randy Dean, 17, of Nedrow, and Corey Morabito, 17, of Tully, are students in the LaFayette Big Picture School. They are learning about the music industry from Bill DiCosimo, the chair of SU's music industry program.

When students at the Big Picture School in LaFayette get together each week with Bill DiCosimo, an assistant professor at Syracuse University, they’re helping fulfill the school’s mandate.

It is supposed to focus on personalized learning and community involvement.

DiCosimo, who chairs the music and entertainment department at SU, volunteers at the Big Picture School, teaching a music business course.

The students also record their own music in a studio on the school grounds. They make recording demos and work on creating their own label.

“We work on a Mac, and when they are ready they come to Syracuse University and use our state-of-the-art recording studio. They recorded in June and did a great job. Some of the students are taking music lessons from my students. There are very talented kids at the Big Picture School,” he said.

As internshipcoordinator for the school, David Stablein is responsible for the students’ experience in the community. “We have internships in every area, from a bakery to a law office. We are very grateful for the support from SU,” he said.

The school is an opportunity for students to learn what is relevant to their lives, Principal Susan Osborn said. “Students are able to explore their passions and interests while earning the credits for a state Regents diploma,” she said.

She has been with the school since it opened in September 2008 (in Grimshaw Elementary) with 15 students and one adviser/teacher.

This yearit celebrated its first graduation. Currently it has 53 students and four advisers/teachers.

There are no homework assignments, grades or class tests, except for Regents examinations.

Students design their own learning plans and set their own goals. Although the school is open for anyone to apply, there is an attempt to attract and engage at-risk students.

Educating one student at a time is the philosophy behind the school. Students work at internships outside of the school two days a week, and everyone who graduates is expected to apply and be accepted into at least one college.

“The students are encouraged to go in-depth and make connections with their school learning and learning that takes place outside of the school at a learning thorough internship/interest site, or LTI.

“In the internship,there is an expert mentor in the field of the student’s interest,” Osborn said.

That works well for SU’s DiCosimo.

“It is a perfect fit for us. It is just what our chancellor, Nancy Cantor, wants us to do. To become engaged in the community,” he said.

The students who participate in the Big Picture School are not necessarily at-risk students. That is a misconception, school officials said.

The first Big Picture School was founded in 1995 by educators Dennis Littky and Elliot Washor in Rhode Island.

Currently, thereare 60 schools across the country with a 95 percent graduation rate. The Big Picture School in LaFayette is one of the first to be set in a rural setting. The school is located in a former Mormon Church on Route 20.

“Our students are using the 21st century skills of communications, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity,” Osborn said.